It’s also the yahrtzeit of the holy Rebbe Meir baal Haness.
Rebbe Meir, a third-generation Mishnaic sage or Tanna, is affectionately known as Rebbe Meir “Baal HaNess”, or “master of the miracle”. He is one of the most quoted sages in the entire Talmud and one of the five (some say seven) latter pupils of Rebbe Akiva. His father, a righteous convert, was a descendant of the Emperor Nero.
The Gemara (tractate Avoda Zara, 18a-b) tells us that Rabbi Meir was married to Bruria, a brilliant woman and the daughter of the holy Rabbi Chanina ben Tardion, one of the ten martyrs whom the Romans persecuted. The tyrannical Roman occupiers sentenced Rabbi Chanina and his wife to be executed for teaching Torah publicly. They sentenced his daughter – Bruria’s sister – to be placed in a brothel. Image, above: Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias
Bruria asked her husband to save her sister. Rabbi Meir took a bag of gold coins and said to himself, “If she has remained chaste, a miracle will occur for her, and if not, there won’t be a miracle.”
He then went to the brothel disguised as a Roman cavalryman, and asked her to sleep with him. She refused, claiming she was in the midst of her menstrual period. When he offered to wait until it was over, she said, “There are many other women here that are more beautiful than I.” He then realized that she used this tactic with everyone who sought her and concluded that she indeed maintained her chastity.
The disguised Rebbe Meir then he offered the gold coins as a bribe to the guard. The guard replied, “When my supervisor comes, he will notice one girl missing and he’ll kill me.”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Take half the money for yourself, and use the other half to bribe the officials.”
The guard argued, “And when there is no more money, and the supervisors come – then what will I do?”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Say, ‘elaka d’Meir, aneni - G-d of Meir – answer me!’ and you will be saved.”
The guard was not yet convinced: “How can I be sure that this will save me?”
Rabbi Meir replied, “Look – there are man-eating dogs over there. I will go to them and you will see for yourself.” Rabbi Meir walked over to the dogs, threw a clump of dirt at them, and they ran at him to tear him apart. He cried, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” and the dogs retreated. The guard was convinced, accepted the bribe and he gave Rebbe Meir Bruria’s sister.
The story’s not yet over: When the group of supervisors came, the guard bribed them with the money. Eventually, the money was used up, and it was publicized what had happened. They arrested the guard and sentenced him to death by hanging. They tied the rope around his neck and he said, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” The rope tore, much to everyone’s amazement. He confessed, so they put out a warrant for Rebbe Meir’s arrest. The guard was saved.
The Romans distributed an engraving with Rebbe Meir’s likeness on it and proclaimed that anyone seeing such a person resembling should turn him in to the authorities. One day, some people spotted him and ran after him, so he fled and entered a harlot’s house. They barged into the house in pursuit. Eliyahu HaNavi - Elijah the Prophet – appeared to them as a harlot who embraced Rebbe Meir. “If this was Rebbe Meir,” they said to each other, “he certainly would not have acted like this!” Rebbe Meir escaped and fled to Babylon.
* * *
Ever since, there is a surefire tradition in Judaism that when a person is in peril, Heaven forbid, he should give charity, and dedicate it in the memory of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess. He should then say “Elaka d’Meir aneni” – three times, which means, “G-d of Meir – answer me!”
Rebbe Meir’s yahrtzeit, the anniversary of his death, falls on Pesach Sheni, the 14th day of Iyar, which this year falls on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. This is a special day to give charity in the name of Rebbe Meir and to ask for all your heart’s wishes. Even better, try to visit Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s a special place where thousands flock to, for many have seen miracles in their own lives after visiting there.
May Rebbe Meir’s holy memory intercede in our behalf, amen!
Parshas Emor 5773-2013 from Rabbi Price This sicha shoud be in memory of my brother, Yerachmiel Yaacov Yoseph (Joel) ben Moishe Dovid, on his Yahrzeit this week, Wednesday,14 Iyar-Pesach Sheni-April 24
Rabbi Frand on Parshas Emor
Parshas Emor contains the portion of Priesthood, beginning with instructions to the Kohanim regarding their special laws. These laws include the fact that a Kohain is not allowed to have any direct contact with a dead body except for his immediate relatives. Even after a Kohain buries a close relative, Rachmana litzlan, he may not go back to the cemetery. This is a very difficult thing, but that is part of being a Kohain.
Kohanim have other restrictions, beyond that of normal Jews. They are not allowed to marry divorcees. They have to be careful in their consumption of Teruma and Kodshim. If it is “difficult to be a Jew,” as the world says, it is even harder to be a Kohain.
If that is the case, the choice of words that the Torah uses to begin this portion, seems strange. The verse begins “Vayomer Hashem el Moshe” (And G-d said to Moshe) [Vayikra 21:1]. We know that most chapters in the Torah begin with the words “Vayedaber Hashem el Moshe leimor” (And G-d spoke to Moshe saying).
Our Sages tell us that the difference between “Vayomer” and “Vayedaber” is that the latter is a harsher type of speech, the former is a much softer type of speech.
To give an example, when I want my children to make their beds and clean up before they leave the house in the morning, I say, “Will you PLEASE make your bed?” That is ‘Vayedaber.’ When I tell them “Go take a snack,” that is ‘Vayomer.’ They will readily take it.
If that is the case, what choice of words should the Torah have used over here? Obviously, since the Torah was giving restrictions — in terms of who they could marry, in terms of what they could eat, in terms of what type of funerals they could go to — we would have expected “Vayedaber Hashem!”
G-d is asking them to give up a lot. It should need a harsher type of language. Yet, the Torah employed the much softer expression, Vayomer.
Rav Moshe Feinstein says a beautiful thought [in Darash Moshe]: The role of the Kohanim was to be the spiritual mentors of the Jewish people. “They teach Thy Laws to Jacob and Thy Teachings to Israel” [Devorim 33:10]. In order for a person to be an effective leader and teacher, in order to for him to be an effective role model, he cannot feel that his life is a drag. He cannot feel that he has a difficult life and that his restrictions are a pain.
If the person, who is supposed to be the leader and teacher, feels that his lot is a tough lot, then he cannot be an effective Kohain. In order to give over a heritage to someone, one must feel privileged, rather than burdened. If the Kohain feels that all the things that the Torah put on him are a burden rather than a privilege, then he can’t be the spiritual leader that we want him to be.
That is why the Torah uses the language “Vayomer.” Even though it may seem hard, they must accept it and feel as if it is easy. Rav Moshe goes on to say, that the Ramba”m writes in Mishneh Torah, at the end of Hilchos Shmitah v’Yovel [13:13], a very famous passage. He says that this role of spiritual mentor is not restricted to the Tribe of Levi. Any person who accepts upon himself a life of Holy Service, anyone who decides to step into a role of Torah disseminator, anyone who decides to devote his life to the work of G-d, he too has the status of a Kohain or a Levi.
Rav Moshe says that this is an ethical lesson to be learned by those who enter the Holy Professions, the work of teachers, the work of Rabbis, the work of community professionals. Even though we all know the burdens that Torah teachers and Rabbis have to suffer, even though we all know that so many times they are treated without the proper respect they deserve, but if the Levi or the teacher or the Rebbe feels that it is a pain and he is constantly ‘kvetching’ about his situation, Rav Moshe says, he should get out. He cannot be an effective teacher.
The effective Rabbi, must feel that it is a ‘Vayomer.’ It is tough, but it is a privilege. Yes, we all may have our moments where we feel that it is too much, but they should only be moments. That must not be the way we always are.
If we feel that it is too difficult, we can’t give it over. If one can’t give it over, according to Rav Moshe then he should get out now.
That is why the Parsha of Kohanim is said with ‘Vayomer.’ [Till here from Rabbi Frand]
I saw somewhere else that Rav Moishe ztl. says that really every Jew should have this understanding that Judaism is not a burden. Of course , even more so, the Rebbeim.
On the Shabbos before Pesach we read a special Haftorah from the Prophet Malachi.
Rav Moshe Feinstein in the sefer, “Kol Rum,” compiled by Rabbi Avraham Fishelis, zl. Vol II, p.248, brings an important lesson from the Haftorah on how to serve Hashem.
The Prophet Malachi 3:13-14 rebukes the Jews telling them that Hashem says that you have said strong words against me. When the Jews asked, “What did we say?”, Hashem answers, “You said, ‘it isn’t worth to serve Hashem, what benefit do we get from keeping His Mitzvos?…the sinners were right…’ ”
Rav Moshe asks that if that’s what they said to Hashem, that it’s not worth it to keep Torah and Mitzvos, so how could they have the audacity to deny it and tell Hashem , “What did we say?”
Rav Moshe answers that in reality they kept Torah and Mitzvos and even instructed their children to do so. However they did it in such a way that showed that they felt that it’s not good to serve Hashem and keep Mitzvos. Despite this they keep it and they instruct their children to do the same, to keep the Torah even though it was hard and he lost a lot by doing it.
So, even though they didn’t actually say it outright, the way they kept it, was proclaiming that it was not worth it to serve Hashem. Consequently, other people, who were not on the level to keep Torah despite its hardship, learned from them to abandon it.
What they should have said was that Torah and Mitzvos are good and a great gift. Hashem chose us from all the nations and gave us the Torah and made us free people-“there is no free man only one who deals with Torah.” This is the greatest joy and there is no loss from keeping Torah and Mitzvos because everything is from Hashem and our whole life and everything we were given is dependent on Him. With this attitude he would be able to have a good influence on his children and students. Anyone who sees how happy he is by doing Torah and Mitzvos will want to emulate him.
In the book “City on Fire,” compiled by Sarah Shapiro, about the twin tower tragedy of September 11, they bring on p. 197, Rav Matisyahu Salomon who cites the Alter of Slabodka who explains the prophecy of Malachi like Rav Moshe and elaborates on this point. He says in part,
“If a Torah Jew, who represents Yiddishkeit [Judaism], walks down the street, mixes with people, and is obviously not a happy person, if he doesn’t show that his life has content, if he is not an example of refinement and fulfillment, then he is shouting to the world, ‘It isn’t worthwhile to serve Hashem.’
He is saying to everyone, ‘We didn’t make it, but you made it. You are happy people. You have your entertainment, your pleasures….and I go around with my long face.’ You are telling everyone, ‘What benefit do we have in keeping His mitzvos?…It isn’t pleasure. It isn’t life itself. It isn’t an achievement. I don’t feel fulfilled….’ Hashem seems to have pushed us away, and we seem to be affirming those who do what they want, who extract the pleasures of life and seem to get a better deal. And that’s an indictment of Torah observance.”
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, in his sefer “Growth Through Torah,” p. 18-19, brings from Rav Yeruchem Levovitz that the very first verse in the Torah Genesis 1:1, makes us aware that Hashem is Creator and Ruler of the universe. This will make a major change in you for the rest of your life. You realize that there is a reason for everything. The world has meaning and purpose.
Rabbi Pliskin elaborates that without meaning in life even if one accomplishes a lot, has health and wealth, fame and fortune, there is a strong feeling that something is missing. It is. Without meaning, there is no real enjoyment and satisfaction. Yes, a person can have moments of excitement, joy, and even ecstasy. But they are short-lived. When the high feelings settle down, there is emptiness. Nothing seems to really matter.
Rabbi Pliskin (ibid.), continues to say that without meaning in life there is no real enjoyment, but once you internalize the awareness that there is a Creator of the universe, you see plan and purpose. There is an inner glow and a drive for spiritual growth. Those who lack this realization see only the external actions and behaviors of those who live with the reality of the Almighty. They are unaware of the rich inner life of such a person. The true believer in the Creator is a fortunate person. He sees divinity in every flower and tree and in every blade of grass. His life, regardless of how it unfolds, is full of purpose and meaning. While he appreciates this world as a gift of the Creator, he looks forward to an eternity of existence. This is the profound message of the first verse of the Torah.
Rabbi Pliskin concludes with a story of a certain well-known communal leader, who as a teenager saw Rabbi Moshe Feinstien for the first time. He remembered something that Rav Moshe said that made an indelible impression.
Rav Moshe was saying, “People destroy their children by always repeating [in Yiddish] ‘Es is shver tzu zein a Yid (It is hard to be a Jew).’ No, it is not hard to be a Jew. It is beautiful and joyous to be a Jew.”
Rav Moshe’s face glowed with pride and happiness when he said those simple words, and the young listener recalls that he too became suffused with pride in his Jewishness.
A Midnightrabbi inspires spiritual guide to make a practical difference!
We are almost by the climax of the year with Lag Bomer 2013 in less than a week, listen to how we planned this music mystic hour to go and click on the blogs to see how it all manifested thank G-d
Who is the Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh – R. Itamar Shwartz?
He is an Israeli rabbi and author of the highly regarded “Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh” series (“In My Heart I Will Build a Mishkan”).
It’s likely because your mitzvot are separate from one another and no one has taught you to use them as the building blocks to construct a larger structure. A Mishkan in your heart.
Each Jew’s lifelong task isn’t just to serve Hashem at an intellectual level, but to integrate that service into our hearts. Once we learn to penetrate our hearts, we are meant to use our hearts to connect to our Creator directly.
Unfortunately, building that foundation for our personal Mishkan is something that very few Jews have been taught today – and that’s true of every community across the Jewish world. It’s a big part of why we often daven every day on “automatic” and our mitzvot can feel like individual bricks left lying around a construction site.
Rabbi Schwartz gives very specific, practical suggestions for building this foundation.
The reason these books have been so enthusiastically received is because they are just about the only books to address this subject directly in our generation’s language. Reading them is one giant session of “Oh, so THAT’S how I’m supposed to be doing it.” Just remember, you have to actually do the exercises the books suggest or none of it will take root in you.
There is an active website devoted to the Bilvavi books at www.bilvavi.net . In fact, most of the books are offered free on the site in their entirety. Just go to bilvavi.net/content/view to check them out.
And … watch and listen to the man of inner Torah give encouragement to our inner connection to Hashem~!
We all know and believe that Torah & mitzvos are what life is all about, but do we really feel that these are what make our lives meaningful Listen to the Rav’s personal account of how he searched and grappled with these issues, and how he came to feel these truths in his own heart. Listen »»
Permanence If a person seeks truth , he must be aware of the instability of this world, and not take it too seriously, and on the other hand, connect to the permanent world of Hashem and the Torah of the eternal world.This awareness will enable us to accept the Torah … »»
Help our new up to date Facebook page get lots of likes and help this cause above as the boys aren’t getting younger! There getting successful with your support!
Non-Profit Organization
Educating disadvantaged boys and providing them with the necessary tools to reach their fullest potential and enabling them to become productive citizens in the State of Israel.
My cause close to my heart is depicted in the video below and big 13 in 2013 link above!
Good month and good news gotta keep smiling for real! Unfortunately yesterday was busy and devastated mourning for the passing of 6 month year old baby of a close friend and neighbor… Everything posted and donated and Midnightrabbi inspiresd is dedicated to this holy pure soul “Yosef Chaim ben Yigal” May we all appreciate life and make the best of it like my friends who are donating to make 13 in 2013 take place thanks , almost half way there! http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/3517 and http://midnightabbi1eligoldsmith.wordpress.com/inspirations-for-today/ These pictures are all dedications, the next generation painting and creating, Sending away the mother bird and using its egg is a Mitzvah! And going to learn from “Know the truth of new month your in” – Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh – R. Itamar Shwartz, Midnightrabbi Inspiresd!http://www.youtube.com/watch<-
Ethiopian Bar Mitzvah Program campaign for Jaffa Institute – Root Funding
Take a look at this campaign that I am supporting for the benefit of Jaffa Institute. This is a great cause – please give what you can and spread the word.
Who is the Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh - R. Itamar Shwartz?
He is an Israeli rabbi and author of the highly regarded “Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh” series (“In My Heart I Will Build a Mishkan”).
It’s likely because your mitzvot are separate from one another and no one has taught you to use them as the building blocks to construct a larger structure.
Before anyone gets confused, please read this , an Anonymous answer to Matisyahu's changes and his article in Aish.com with five big ?'s!
The first big question is why does Aish.com post an Exclusive Interview about an Exclusive person such as Matisyahu , which should right now only confuse people :) ?
How do you deal with life in the spotlight?
I don’t know. How do you deal with it? It’s pretty cool.
You change your appearance — that’s one thing! Do people not recognize you these days?
Not even at my own shows!
When I saw you at the hotel, I didn’t even recognize you. You were wearing blue gym shorts, a blue T-shirt and tennis shoes — you just looked like a regular basketball player. People always grow and change and that’s awesome. Why did you decide to make your religious transformation so public?
The question is how do I not make it anything but public? I didn’t think I wanted to mention it. I wasn’t planning on mentioning it afterwards, with the Twitter thing. But I was going through Twitter and I read that quote ["When the tide comes in I lose my disguise"] — a fan quoted that lyric from “Thunder,” and I was like, “Oh, that’s perfect!”
‘Who is to say what the disguise is?’
Sometimes you write lyrics and it can mean one thing for you and then a year later it can mean a totally different thing for you and at that moment I felt, wow, there is something inside of me even at that point that felt that I was in disguise. There was some part of me even four years ago when I wrote that song that felt one day I’m going to take off my disguise and then, on the other hand, you can say, “Who is to say what the disguise is?” Maybe the other one is the disguise. But in that moment, I felt it was time to reveal panim, the face. So then I was thinking, “People will see me at shows and they won’t get that it’s me — I’m gonna have to mention it. People are going to want to know what’s going on.”
How are you navigating your current level of Jewish observance on the road?
It’s kind of a different thing for me now. There are certain things I am still holding on to strongly, like obviously not performing on Shabbos, not traveling on Shabbos. Kosher. Kosher has been easy for me in this run because we have a chef and he is a vegetarian and he cooks just for me. So that one’s like knocked off. So that’s that. Shabbos is Shabbos.
‘There are so many rules in Judaism, and if you get into them and you get obsessed and you have the kind of life that I have, it can make you a very unhappy person’
Everything else, for the most part, I’m not holding myself to it in terms of the rule aspect of it. It is more about an ideal. Ideally I would like to put my tefillin on every morning and daven mincha and daven ma’ariv [two of the three daily prayer services]. And I would like to say brachos [blessings] and all these things. But I sort of stopped holding myself to it. It is a weight off now I do it when I have the time and it feels right. When I make the time, I am a little bit more accepting, a little more patient with myself maybe than I was in past years trying to fit in putting tefillin on with, like, in the morning when I had to be at a radio station at 8:30… There are so many rules in Judaism, and if you get into them and you get obsessed and you have the kind of life that I have, it can make you a very unhappy person. It can make everything complicated and more stressful than it needs to be, so I kind of loosened the knots a little bit.
How was the transformation for your family?
My one-year-old dealt with it. He had to get used to seeing my face. I think the first time I held him, he didn’t recognize me. But it was very quickly that he got it. I think they look in the eyes. And the feeling and the voice. Maybe more than anyone else my one-year-old son got it right away. No judgments, certainly from him. And then, my other two boys go to Chabad school (in Los Angeles), and I had to warn them and tell them that people might say stuff. We had to have a lot of conversations.
‘More than anyone else my one year old son got it right away. No judgments’
I think it’s given them a whole new take on… everything, because they will want to know. That things are not as simple; life is a little more complex. It is not so clear.
We had a conversation with my son on the way up here that was so interesting, where he was saying that… the whole thing with Jews and non-Jews and the differences and all that. I try to open them up and just give them alternatives. Basically, I just tell them, “When you are raised in a religious family, you learn that there is no alternative. That there is one ultimate truth. And you can see it might come in various shades and colors. At the end of the day there is one truth and that one truth is this.”
I’ve had to talk to my kids and explain that maybe that’s not so. Basically what I tell them is that no one can ever be sure of anything — and in this life, your teachers, parents, yourself — you can have your own ideas, your own opinions, intuitions feelings, etc., whatever it is. But never to be too sure of yourself, and never to be too sure of anyone because, at the end of the day, we don’t know. That was a new idea for them. But amazing conversations — me and my sons."
Please read my blog its to hard for me to say more, other than quote my friends, " I was even more scared after seeing matis
I was done from the music bus.
I realized though that Hashem needs warriors everywhere
where one falls
he raises another!
Lets start with Getting our kids back to Torah and seeing its light
Daven to H" about it
the lines get so blurry with Public rebuke
or anything in the like!"
I agreed but make sure you all speak to your local truthful Rabbi before being confused by any public statements and paths of modern day musicians ! Hashem Yerachem ! Moshaich now !
The Orach Online squad caught up with Nissim Black, Co-Founder of OEMC, to discuss the past, the present and the future for him and OEMC. He spoke on his relationship with Sportn’Life and a D.Black comeback.
OO: You Mr. Black, spent a lot of time at Sportn’ Life Records both as an Exec and a MC. You’ve had to deal with being an artist and deal with artists, what gave you the inspiration for OEMC?
NISSIM: It was just that. After being on both sides of the fence, I developed a liking for different aspects of both. There were plenty of times when i wanted to sit back and strictly work with DeVon and take a break to really push the other artist, but it just felt like the time never permitted itself. So, with OEMC, which I cant take complete credit for I do have a partner in crime Yosef “Bradley” Brown, we just wanted to put together awesome music for people and exhaust our efforts to see it get the recognition we felt it deserved. So OEMC is the natural progression of that desire.
OO: You and Yosef (B.Brown) probably had your biggest success with people like Young Buck and the Game,will that same sound carry OEMC? And how will it play out according to your faith?
NISSIM: Thats all old news. We never really rode that wave, it wasn’t really the sound we were most interested in back then even. Our sound has definitely evolved. We focus on more on a contemporary soul and alternative with a bit of Pop. We are just kind of out there these days. As far as my faith is concerned, I still keep my distance. I don’t have a TV in my home I only listen to certain things for work purposes. Its all business, one that im passionate about, but its still business. Certain aspects of this industry doesn’t belong in my spiritual world so i keep it out. But I do use my spiritual world to elevate my work.
OO: In most interviews most people wouldn’t ask what Im going to ask you now but, with certain people like Mattisyahu, Shyne and yourself, your faith almost is what makes you who you are so with that said; You’ve made a lot of changes over the past 4 to 5 years as an individual, and concerning yourfaith/ religious beliefs, what is your faith and what effect does it have on you musically?
NISSIM: Orthodox Judaism is my faith. It has been a crazy past few years for me one that has been eye opening. I was a Non-religious Christian, then a Messianic Christian what people would refer to as Hebrew Christian or Messianic Judaism (But this is NOT Judaism in anyway, shape or form) . But I don’t look at them as huge changes but rather the natural growth of a person truth seeking. It happens all the time with people who start challenging themselves, they begin to grow. I was exposed to a truth, then another and then another, which was headed in the direction of the path I was to embark on. Due to the fact that spirituality is big for me, this journey will forever be documented through music and all that evolves me. When you find emet (truth), you share it by living it. If people really believed in what they say they do, it would be seeping through their pores without them even saying a word.
OO: There’s been a lot of new artist both in your own city and in the broader industry, who’s your favorites in game today?
NISSIM: I think Adele proved herself to be the worlds favorite right? but, no really, other than the guys I work with, I like; The Black keys, Gotye, Fun, Michael Buble and John Legend. I mean I guess thats my list, I still draw inspiration from old MoTown records. Im usually in the loop for inspiration only, as it relates to work, but I’m not engrossed, i keep it that way so my ears can stay fresh and unbiased.
OO: Congratulations on the birth of your new son. We also know you have a wife and daughter at home how hard is it to make time for everything?
NISSIM: Thank you. As you can imagine, it gets tough. I try my best to make it work, after all I have to. My wife is the most important person in my life and my kids follow that, my career is for our benefit as a whole. So just like any other family we manage. Plus, we still have Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath) for family time!
OO: So you left the rap game alone after your LP “Ali’Yah” and your follow up EP “The Blackest Brown”. As I mentioned before your affiliation with Sportn’ Life, after being apart of its success for so long, whats that relationship like now that you moved on?
NISSIM: My relationship there never changed. I still consider myself Sportn’ life. In fact if I could of made it all work at the time I would have. I was growing spiritually and had to make moves that were going to aid and assist me in my growth. The departure from Sportn’ Life was apart of what was happening for me at the time. I definitely didn’t see OEMC coming at all. The only reason I didn’t take my music efforts back to Sportn’ life was because we were originally going to do religious music strictly. We later decided to do both, as long as the contemporary music doesn’t effect our values. We all still tight, its still “the Life”.
OO: Your album “Ali’Yah” had a impact on people everywhere, you seem to have anxious fans across the nation even in countries like Africa who were touched. So, I have to ask or else it wouldn’t be right; Do you think that theres a possibility D.Black will lace back up the cleats and come back in the game?
NISSIM: I would be lying if I said I don’t think about it sometimes. But, truly Im content for the time being. Im working on some cool projects and seeing artists grow and develop, and its exciting to be apart of. D.Black is dead, Nis lives on.
Keep up with Nissim on twitter; @NissimBlack
Real changes we can all learn from 2007 and beyond!!!
Now this is what we’re waiting for , the real deal! Real Change that makes a difference, just what Hashem wants us all to do before Yom Kippur (our holy day of repentance and connection)
Our new friend is bringing it back! And you can read the update from his bio below! Wow, he’s already made 2012 a good year and can’t wait to meet and dance in person!
Born and raised in south Seattle, Damian Black, now known as Nissim hit the northwest hip hop stage…
About Nissim
Nissim (formerly known as D.Black) is one-half of the band MA”SH. After growing up in Seward Park (Seattle, WA), Nissim can recall the Saturday mornings watching his Jewish neighbors make what seemed like a pilgrimage to synagogue for Sabbath prayers. He even tells stories of him playing basketball at one of the local synagogues. Although seeing this did not convince him to join the tribe, later in his years he questioned his Christian faith and began to study profusely and ultimately found Orthodox Judaism to be the right path. Since this revelation he has been attending Congregation Sephardic Bikur Holim in Seattle, WA, where he is making official conversion to Orthodox Judaism.After growing up in an undesirable household, full of drugs, alcohol, violence etc., he clung to music as his escape from the troubles of the world, in which he attempted to create his own world. In the early stages of that process he was known as D.Black, a street savvy rap artist/ producer who often told stories of life in the ghetto, with drugs, guns and money. As time went on we watched him transform into an intellectual on the microphone, speaking about being more aware of and changing societal norms and healing the world. At the peak of his moderate success in the music industry, he called it quits. He resigned from his executive position at Sportn’ Life Records and retired his “D.Black” jersey. Although, many will miss D.Black, they will be held in suspense by the music put forth by MA”SH his new band.
MA”SH which is a acronym for Malhut Shamayim (Kingdom of Heaven) is a two man band, members include Nissim and Yosef, who together were known as Black & Brown. The two, best friends since kindergarten, and now brother-in-laws, together have produced/ written music for local and international artist, which is something they continue to do. They refer to their sound as alternative soul, which maybe the best way to describe it. It’s full of live instruments that restore an “old school” feel, to the “old school” sound that they fabricate. Deep rooted in a soulful bliss and yet, still beset with loud guitars and heavy drums. Although the music may reflect a popular and modern spin on an old wheel, the content itself, is grounded. Their idea is to make music for the world and reflect their religious values without being proselytizing. Energy, ambition and focus best describe them, as they set out on a journey to effect change in the world of music.
This is a great wake up call for us all , as he has real talent and now connected into the real truth can with G-d’s help in 2012 and beyond make real needed change!
Check out Nissim as President & CEO of OEMC
Orach Emet Music Company, LLC. is a music company that specializes in writing and producing music. OEMC is primarily a music production company for record labels, independent artist, film, TV / Radio, video games and websites. We comprise of a small variety of writers, producers, studio engineers, graphic designers, etc. OEMC offers several production packages that include artist development, production, song writing, pre & post-production consulting and studio recording for many different genres.
Anyhow, looking forward to a new year of the path of the Truth shinning out to the world with unity and moshiach now!
Still have a few questions and look forward to asking them in person , email me umuse613@gmail.com
Please read below and respond kindly , sharing this great cause to other friends thanks!
Happy Chanukah and light up the lives of our children with kindness and donations!
THANKS TO YOU, the Jaffa Institute's 2012 BAR MITZVAH CELEBRATIONS were AMAZING! Now please help us and our 30 2013 Bar Mitzvah students to make their day extra special and help change the direction of their lives forever. Please join us and donate generously by clicking here -> http://www.jaffainstitute.org/online-donations-to-the-jaffa-institute and in the comments say that you are Eli's friend to secure you part in these special boys' Bar Mitzvah!
Updates on Our Sister Organizations of from our newsletter 2012!
Bar Mitzvah at Bet Shemesh
2013 BAR MITZVAH CELEBRATIONS is in your hands!
Bet Shemesh B’nei Mitzvah Ceremony 2012
On 23 April 2012, 15 boys who study at the Bet Shemesh Education Center celebrated their B’nei Mitzvah in a beautiful ceremony overlooking the Judean Hills. Like all of the boys at the Bet Shemesh Educational Center – a residential high school for at-risk boys – these adolescents come from severely disadvantaged backgrounds. Sadly, their parents simply could not afford to provide them with celebrations to mark the important milestone of becoming Bar Mitzvah.
This year, the Center fulfilled the dreams of its B’nei Mitzvah students. The day’s events marked the culmination of a course in which the boys studied the significance of the Bar Mitzvah as an important boundary between childhood and adulthood. The young men began their special day with their family and friends at a beautiful ceremony, which was followed by a luxuriously catered meal. In honor of the momentous event, each of the boys was given a set of teffilin and a tallit, as well as a wrist-watch. They were then taken on an exciting field trip to the Old City of Jerusalem, where they enjoyed several historical tours and ate delicious pizza. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Western Wall; a poignant occasion which held much meaning for the Bar Mitzvah boys.
We would like to thank the Goldsmith Family and all the other donors who made this special day of celebration possible.
For more information about this year’s celebration as well as footage of the day’s events please click here
To see more photos of the Bar Mitzvah ceremony, please click here and here
Guests of Honor: Beryl and Neil Davis
Chairman: Adv. Eyal Rozovsky
Host: Sharon Kidon
January 13th 2013
Avenue Conventions Center, Airport City near Ben Gurion Airport
All proceeds from the event will benefit the children of Jaffa and south Tel Aviv participating in the Afternoon Activity Centers.
Come visit otherwise donate safely and secure !
Please help us share awareness and help us make this happen, with advice appreciated!
This is the link for Donations , please leave in comments eli!
sincere thanks and happy chanukah!
Eli and family and friends :)
Everyone who helped with our recent campaign also deserves thanks , please help and share so we can live in peace and calm with all those under threat need thanks - http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/3036
Branch Campaigns – When you have 30 seconds to find shelter, grocery shopping is a hard endeavour.
Especially when your with 6 crying and scared children!
The recent missile attacks on the Israeli population in Southern Israel have made it difficult for many parents to fully provide for their families. Many have had to be absent from work to be with their children in the bomb shelters while rockets hit the south and center of Israel.
To relieve the financial burden of these families and ensure a steady supply of nutritional food to families under fire, the Jaffa Institute’s Food Distribution Center targets food insecurity and malnutrition in the home by providing Israel’s most needy with nutritious food parcels.
The program uses the Jaffa Institute’s infrastructure of volunteers and supplies to identify instances of food insecurity in our community and provide the resources to temporarily eliminate food insecurity as a root of depression and cause for additional stress during these hard times.
The Jaffa Institute is working to send 1000 food packages per week to families under fire in Israel.
The cost of each food package is $60. The Jaffa Institute is trying the raise $60,000 a week to keep up with the demand for parcels.
There are many ways in which you help the cause. The idea is for this to be a grassroots campaign, where people give what they can and spread the word to their friends, family and co-workers (take a look at the tools in the Tell Your Friends section). Even better, you can easily set up your own branch campaign customized for your own network of contacts by hitting the Create a Branch Campaign button above.
Any help that you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you on behalf of the people of Israel and the Midnightrabbi & Goldsmith family!
Our goal is to raise $60,000 Donate now!!!!
in average recurring monthly pledges by 12/25/2012.
<-please Click here Donate now! Thanks ! ^
more here click -> inspirations-for-today:)Shalom friends
hope you are all well
With the recent attacks on southern Israel, the Midnightrabbi and the Jaffa Institute decided to assist the families of the south who cannot leave their homes to work, go to school or even get groceries from fear of missile attacks. As long as the fire continues we will be sending food and aid packages to 1000 families in the south every week. I would like to invite you to make even a bigger impact this time.
We are looking for people who are willing to support the program and spread the word about it. You can assist by going to http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/3036 and giving a gift or sharing the address with your friends. Any help you can give us in getting the word out will be extremely appreciated!
Thank you again for your support.
Especially during these difficult times we are encouraged by the amount of love and appreciation we receive from all around
This weekend we opened our doors in Bet Shemesh to hundreds of families from the South who needed to get away from their embattled communities. Thus far it has cost us $26,000 and during the next few weeks I expect we will see more of this if there isn’t a ceasefire soon. At the moment we have filled 95 beds in our dormitory and soon we will have additional beds in Beit Ruth.
I will need at least $50,000 – $75,000 to cover the expenses. I don’t have this money in our operational budget as things are very tight. Please help to the best of your ability. I know how much you are already doing but, as you know, every dollar counts. You can donate to this worthy cause online.
2013 BAR MITZVAH CELEBRATIONS Is In Your Hands! 2012 BAR MITZVAH CELEBRATIONS Was Amazing , Now Help Us With 2013 And Our 30 Students To Make This Year A Day And Gifts For All To Remember! Join Us And Donate Generously After You Read Below And Click Here -> http://www.Jaffainstitute.Org/Online-Donations-To-The-Jaffa-Institute Write In Comments Eli’s Friends And Your Secure Donation Will Be For The Bar Mitzvah Of 30 Students 2013!
You are cordially invited to attend a
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Inaugurating
The Beit Ruth Educational & Therapeutic Village
For Young Women & Girls At-Risk in Afula, Israel
A joint project of Beit Ruth and WIZO
In the presence of Beit Ruth Founders Susan and Michael Ashner, NY
The ceremony will take place on
Monday, November 19th 2012, at 2:00 PM
At Beit Ruth campus near WIZO Nir HaEmek, Afula
השלמת הבניה של שלב א” של כפר בית רות תאפשר מתן בית וטיפול
לעשרות נערות בסיכון בגילאי 14 עד 18 שאינן יכולות לגור עם הוריהן
The opening of the new Beit Ruth Village will enable us to provide
girls at risk with the opportunity to escape a life of hardship.
They will receive the treatment and therapy they require to rebuild their
lives, while simultaneously continuing with their education.
____________________________________________________
שמחים להזמינך
לטקס גזירת סרט
של בית רות, כפר חינוכי טיפולי לנערות
פרויקט משותף של העמותה לקידום החינוך בתל אביב יפו ושל ויצו
בתמיכתם הנדיבה של מייקל וסוזאן אשנר
הטקס יערך ביום שני, 19 לנובמבר 2012,
בשעה 14:00 בכפר, בצמוד לויצו ניר העמק, עפולה
”סור מרע ועשה טוב- מן הרע תעשה טוב”* .Warning: this only works with daas* ”כי כל בחינת רע בשרשו הוא טוב”
Just rediscovered this blog in my email and knowing this is a time to increase simcha we have to face reality too. Could be the main cause for such a crisis is click here <=, either way things need to change from within and out! Hope for more positive news
January 4, 2012 By mother in israel. I was planning to write a light post today, about unusual Israeli baby names, but unfortunately that post will wait. If you are looking for inspiring, humorous posts I ask for your patience–they will come.
Instead I have translated an article that is difficult to read.
First, I want to let you know that Rachel of Ima2Seven published a long post about the horrifying pedophile case that rocked the neighborhood of Nachlaot in Jerusalem. Residents Jewish Mom and Mekubal have been reporting on this nightmare.
Rachel’s post includes a collection of links and calls to action, including ways to donate to help the families. Please visit and read the whole thing: Terrorists Destroy Nachlaot.
The following article by Yossi Haziz appeared yesterday in Hebrew in JerusalemNet, a division of Ynet. It summarizes the discussion of the case in a special session of a Knesset committee.
The dimensions of the pedophilia ring, in the heart of one of the communities in central Jerusalem, were exposed today in a Knesset committee in all of its terrible breadth. More than 100 small children underwent severe physical and sexual abuse by about 30 adult suspects, and all in a small and closed neighborhood. About half of the suspects were arrested, but most continue to live and operate in the neighborhood without interference.
In a choked voice and with tears in their eyes, the mothers described their children who were sexually abused and the shock that their small children experienced (and some continue to experience) over more than a year. Almost none of the participants in this special session of the committee on the rights of children remained impassive, including representatives of the police “who have seen and hear everything,” upon hearing the chilling testimonies of what has been described as “the largest pedophile case since the founding of the state.”
The dimensions of the case are not fully realized. More than 100 children were sexually and physically abused by nearly 30 suspects, and all this happened in a “nature reserve” of no more than 500 square meters, in the center of a small haredi neighborhood in the heart of Jerusalem. The terror that continues even today, even after the authorities have entered the picture. Even after some of the suspects have been arrested (one committed suicide, one fled the country), the traumatized parents feel helpless that they can’t protect their children, even within their buildings.
And the testimonies, too difficult to bear: A, a mother of four children—all of whom were attacked, some more than once—tells that until her children learned not to approach the door of a particular resident, another one from a different apartment attacked them. G, mother of seven, tells with tears in her eyes how she twice “missed”‘ the arrival of the school bus—the two times that her children became victims of the suspects, a few meters from her home.
The children have experienced every possible type of abuse and terror, like 7-year-old girl who saw the rape of her younger neighbor. In some cases the suspects even tied the hands and legs of the victims and placed a knife near their necks. In order to ensure that no one would tell, the suspects scared the children with a big dog that will “eat anyone who tells,” or through lighting a bonfire in the yards of the buildings, where they would ”throw anyone who tells.”
All of the children are cared for by the welfare authorities. But the authorities don’t have the means to correct the damage. Most of the children don’t go out of the house except to school. Some even refuse to go to the synagogue for fear of meeting the suspects, who walk around freely without interference.
They[the parents] turned to the police—and were disappointed.
The suspects are adults, who are not considered normative, also within the norms of haredi society. Most live alone, in apartments they received through inheritance, in the neighborhood where they have lived all their lives. This is a closed neighborhood, that is not used to “hanging out” their dirty laundry, but in light of such shocking events all of the social codes have been breached. With great courage, and the backing of the rabbis, the parents turned to the authorities and issued complaints, and despite the difficulty—cooperated fully.
But here they were greatly disappointed, as described by D., a mother whose 5-year-old was repeatedly abused: “The investigators presented the girl with blurred pictures of the suspects, and afterward the children’s investigator claimed that her testimony was “problematic” and “not reliable.” Not long ago, in the neighborhood, she let out a terrible scream and pointed to the man who hurt her, who stood meters from us, and even called his name. So what else do the police want?!! Why are these criminals still wandering around the yard??”
The Knesset session was headed by head of the committee Zevulun Orlev and took place in the presence of MKs (Knesset members) Uri Maklev and Orli Levi-Avekasis, along with representatives of the law, welfare, and justice departments. The testimonies were delivered only after removing video cameras and voice-recording devices from members of the press.
Ravit Zamir, a social worker from the Jerusalem municipality, reports, “We are talking about one of the worse cases I have seen in more than 20 years of work. This case has been known for a year, but only last summer did we begin to understand its terrible dimensions. There are families with 6 and 7 children who have been injured. Again and again we accompany, and provide treatment for, every child and family who has been injured. We have conducted over 100 interrogations by investigators, with dozens more ahead. We are talking about world-class terror.”
The police representative in the discussion, commander of investigations chief superintendent Shmulik ben Amos notes that ” a special investigative team was formed that deals only with this issue. The police are not trying to conserve in their efforts. But one must understand that this is a complicated and complex investigation. We have brought a community officer into the neighborhood, in order to increase the feeling of security. We are talking about a number of perpetrators who live in the neighborhood and it’s known that in some cases they worked as a team. A number have been arrested. Others have been arrested and released but the investigation into them continues. A few findings have been gathered from raids by the police into their homes and another round of arrests is expected soon,” said Ben Amos and added: “Both as an officer and as a father, I am shocked and I identify with the pain of the parents. One must understand that there is difficulty in getting to a particular level of testimony against the suspects in order to make it possible to issue an indictment. The difficulty comes from investigating children and determining the “level of reliability” of their testimony. We are and continue to make efforts, with intention to widen the circle of arrests.”
“The worst case of pedophilia in the history of Israel”
These facts do not comfort the parents. Even after the end of the discussion, the mothers approached the MKs with pleas to do everything in their power to ensure the peace of their children in the neighborhood.
“The authorities are not convinced of the breadth of this occurrence,” said attorney Eitan Lehman, who represents the parents.” There is a misconception that pedophiles work alone, and the police are continuing to say this despite the fact that the indictment received by prosecutors had 6-7 people in the same room in the neighborhood, who abused a child. This was an exceptional situation, the most serious of any in all of the history of pedophilia in Israel. They needed to recruit the best experts, including computer experts.” By this Lehman refers to the fact that many of the acts were filmed by the suspects, and shown to the children during further abusive acts.
Head of the committee, Zevulun Orlev, said that ” one can’t make peace with the fact that justice has not been served to the criminals and that the children of the neighborhood are still exposed to the continuation of abuse.”
He is an Israeli rabbi and author of the highly regarded “Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh” series (“In My Heart I Will Build a Mishkan”).
Rabbi Schwartz gives very specific, practical suggestions for building this foundation.
gotta keep smiling for real! Unfortunately yesterday was busy and devastated mourning for the passing of 6 month year old baby of a close friend and neighbor… Everything posted and donated and Midnightrabbi inspiresd is dedicated to this holy pure soul “Yosef Chaim ben Yigal” May we all appreciate life and make the best of it like my friends who are donating to make 13 in 2013 take place thanks , almost half way there! 
Eli played 
Happy Chanukah and light up the lives of our children with kindness and donations!
Bet Shemesh B’nei Mitzvah Ceremony 2012
On 23 April 2012, 15 boys who study at the Bet Shemesh Education Center celebrated their B’nei Mitzvah in a beautiful ceremony overlooking the Judean Hills. Like all of the boys at the Bet Shemesh Educational Center – a residential high school for at-risk boys – these adolescents come from severely disadvantaged backgrounds. Sadly, their parents simply could not afford to provide them with celebrations to mark the important milestone of becoming Bar Mitzvah.
This year, the Center fulfilled the dreams of its B’nei Mitzvah students. The day’s events marked the culmination of a course in which the boys studied the significance of the Bar Mitzvah as an important boundary between childhood and adulthood. The young men began their special day with their family and friends at a beautiful ceremony, which was followed by a luxuriously catered meal. In honor of the momentous event, each of the boys was given a set of teffilin and a tallit, as well as a wrist-watch. They were then taken on an exciting field trip to the Old City of Jerusalem, where they enjoyed several historical tours and ate delicious pizza. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Western Wall; a poignant occasion which held much meaning for the Bar Mitzvah boys.
We would like to thank the Goldsmith Family and all the other donors who made this special day of celebration possible.
For more information about this year’s celebration as well as footage of the day’s events please click 
22 Apr
Wow your spoiling us with all these Midnightrabbi inspired revelations!
Posted by Midnightrabbi inspired in Uncategorized. Tagged: believers, charity, contribute, Donate a free tweet! u should donate and write, education, eli friends in comments! great bloggs old scool website lol To inspire us Thanks and see Eli Pmusic of facebook and our group-page JIM (4 short) = Jaffa Institute & @Midnightrabbi eli goldsmith Th, Emunah, Midnightrabbi inspires, tribute. 1 Comment
13 in 2013-bar-mitzvah-celebrations-is-in-your-hands!
So happy to get ready for Lag Bomer 2013 with Ari this year in top form
But before that The 14th day of Iyar – this coming Wednesday – is known as Pesach Sheni. Listen here ->www.rabbisitorsky.com/Chumash/Vayikra/Emor/emor_5770.MP3
It’s also the yahrtzeit of the holy Rebbe Meir baal Haness.
The Gemara (tractate Avoda Zara, 18a-b) tells us that Rabbi Meir was married to Bruria, a brilliant woman and the daughter of the holy Rabbi Chanina ben Tardion, one of the ten martyrs whom the Romans persecuted. The tyrannical Roman occupiers sentenced Rabbi Chanina and his wife to be executed for teaching Torah publicly. They sentenced his daughter – Bruria’s sister – to be placed in a brothel. Image, above: Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias
Bruria asked her husband to save her sister. Rabbi Meir took a bag of gold coins and said to himself, “If she has remained chaste, a miracle will occur for her, and if not, there won’t be a miracle.”
He then went to the brothel disguised as a Roman cavalryman, and asked her to sleep with him. She refused, claiming she was in the midst of her menstrual period. When he offered to wait until it was over, she said, “There are many other women here that are more beautiful than I.” He then realized that she used this tactic with everyone who sought her and concluded that she indeed maintained her chastity.
The disguised Rebbe Meir then he offered the gold coins as a bribe to the guard. The guard replied, “When my supervisor comes, he will notice one girl missing and he’ll kill me.”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Take half the money for yourself, and use the other half to bribe the officials.”
The guard argued, “And when there is no more money, and the supervisors come – then what will I do?”
Rabbi Meir answered, “Say, ‘elaka d’Meir, aneni - G-d of Meir – answer me!’ and you will be saved.”
The guard was not yet convinced: “How can I be sure that this will save me?”
Rabbi Meir replied, “Look – there are man-eating dogs over there. I will go to them and you will see for yourself.” Rabbi Meir walked over to the dogs, threw a clump of dirt at them, and they ran at him to tear him apart. He cried, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” and the dogs retreated. The guard was convinced, accepted the bribe and he gave Rebbe Meir Bruria’s sister.
The story’s not yet over: When the group of supervisors came, the guard bribed them with the money. Eventually, the money was used up, and it was publicized what had happened. They arrested the guard and sentenced him to death by hanging. They tied the rope around his neck and he said, “G-d of Meir – answer me!” The rope tore, much to everyone’s amazement. He confessed, so they put out a warrant for Rebbe Meir’s arrest. The guard was saved.
The Romans distributed an engraving with Rebbe Meir’s likeness on it and proclaimed that anyone seeing such a person resembling should turn him in to the authorities. One day, some people spotted him and ran after him, so he fled and entered a harlot’s house. They barged into the house in pursuit. Eliyahu HaNavi - Elijah the Prophet – appeared to them as a harlot who embraced Rebbe Meir. “If this was Rebbe Meir,” they said to each other, “he certainly would not have acted like this!” Rebbe Meir escaped and fled to Babylon.
* * *
Ever since, there is a surefire tradition in Judaism that when a person is in peril, Heaven forbid, he should give charity, and dedicate it in the memory of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess. He should then say “Elaka d’Meir aneni” – three times, which means, “G-d of Meir – answer me!”
Rebbe Meir’s yahrtzeit, the anniversary of his death, falls on Pesach Sheni, the 14th day of Iyar, which this year falls on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. This is a special day to give charity in the name of Rebbe Meir and to ask for all your heart’s wishes. Even better, try to visit Rebbe Meir’s holy gravesite in Tiberias, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s a special place where thousands flock to, for many have seen miracles in their own lives after visiting there.
May Rebbe Meir’s holy memory intercede in our behalf, amen!
Parshas Emor 5773-2013 from Rabbi Price
This sicha shoud be in memory of my brother, Yerachmiel Yaacov Yoseph (Joel) ben Moishe Dovid, on his Yahrzeit this week, Wednesday,14 Iyar-Pesach Sheni-April 24
Rabbi Frand on Parshas Emor
Parshas Emor contains the portion of Priesthood, beginning with instructions to the Kohanim regarding their special laws. These laws include the fact that a Kohain is not allowed to have any direct contact with a dead body except for his immediate relatives. Even after a Kohain buries a close relative, Rachmana litzlan, he may not go back to the cemetery. This is a very difficult thing, but that is part of being a Kohain.
Kohanim have other restrictions, beyond that of normal Jews. They are not allowed to marry divorcees. They have to be careful in their consumption of Teruma and Kodshim. If it is “difficult to be a Jew,” as the world says, it is even harder to be a Kohain.
If that is the case, the choice of words that the Torah uses to begin this portion, seems strange. The verse begins “Vayomer Hashem el Moshe” (And G-d said to Moshe) [Vayikra 21:1]. We know that most chapters in the Torah begin with the words “Vayedaber Hashem el Moshe leimor” (And G-d spoke to Moshe saying).
Our Sages tell us that the difference between “Vayomer” and “Vayedaber” is that the latter is a harsher type of speech, the former is a much softer type of speech.
To give an example, when I want my children to make their beds and clean up before they leave the house in the morning, I say, “Will you PLEASE make your bed?” That is ‘Vayedaber.’ When I tell them “Go take a snack,” that is ‘Vayomer.’ They will readily take it.
If that is the case, what choice of words should the Torah have used over here? Obviously, since the Torah was giving restrictions — in terms of who they could marry, in terms of what they could eat, in terms of what type of funerals they could go to — we would have expected “Vayedaber Hashem!”
G-d is asking them to give up a lot. It should need a harsher type of language. Yet, the Torah employed the much softer expression, Vayomer.
Rav Moshe Feinstein says a beautiful thought [in Darash Moshe]: The role of the Kohanim was to be the spiritual mentors of the Jewish people. “They teach Thy Laws to Jacob and Thy Teachings to Israel” [Devorim 33:10]. In order for a person to be an effective leader and teacher, in order to for him to be an effective role model, he cannot feel that his life is a drag. He cannot feel that he has a difficult life and that his restrictions are a pain.
If the person, who is supposed to be the leader and teacher, feels that his lot is a tough lot, then he cannot be an effective Kohain. In order to give over a heritage to someone, one must feel privileged, rather than burdened. If the Kohain feels that all the things that the Torah put on him are a burden rather than a privilege, then he can’t be the spiritual leader that we want him to be.
That is why the Torah uses the language “Vayomer.” Even though it may seem hard, they must accept it and feel as if it is easy. Rav Moshe goes on to say, that the Ramba”m writes in Mishneh Torah, at the end of Hilchos Shmitah v’Yovel [13:13], a very famous passage. He says that this role of spiritual mentor is not restricted to the Tribe of Levi. Any person who accepts upon himself a life of Holy Service, anyone who decides to step into a role of Torah disseminator, anyone who decides to devote his life to the work of G-d, he too has the status of a Kohain or a Levi.
Rav Moshe says that this is an ethical lesson to be learned by those who enter the Holy Professions, the work of teachers, the work of Rabbis, the work of community professionals. Even though we all know the burdens that Torah teachers and Rabbis have to suffer, even though we all know that so many times they are treated without the proper respect they deserve, but if the Levi or the teacher or the Rebbe feels that it is a pain and he is constantly ‘kvetching’ about his situation, Rav Moshe says, he should get out. He cannot be an effective teacher.
The effective Rabbi, must feel that it is a ‘Vayomer.’ It is tough, but it is a privilege. Yes, we all may have our moments where we feel that it is too much, but they should only be moments. That must not be the way we always are.
If we feel that it is too difficult, we can’t give it over. If one can’t give it over, according to Rav Moshe then he should get out now.
That is why the Parsha of Kohanim is said with ‘Vayomer.’ [Till here from Rabbi Frand]
I saw somewhere else that Rav Moishe ztl. says that really every Jew should have this understanding that Judaism is not a burden. Of course , even more so, the Rebbeim.
On the Shabbos before Pesach we read a special Haftorah from the Prophet Malachi.
Rav Moshe Feinstein in the sefer, “Kol Rum,” compiled by Rabbi Avraham Fishelis, zl. Vol II, p.248, brings an important lesson from the Haftorah on how to serve Hashem.
The Prophet Malachi 3:13-14 rebukes the Jews telling them that Hashem says that you have said strong words against me. When the Jews asked, “What did we say?”, Hashem answers, “You said, ‘it isn’t worth to serve Hashem, what benefit do we get from keeping His Mitzvos?…the sinners were right…’ ”
Rav Moshe asks that if that’s what they said to Hashem, that it’s not worth it to keep Torah and Mitzvos, so how could they have the audacity to deny it and tell Hashem , “What did we say?”
Rav Moshe answers that in reality they kept Torah and Mitzvos and even instructed their children to do so. However they did it in such a way that showed that they felt that it’s not good to serve Hashem and keep Mitzvos. Despite this they keep it and they instruct their children to do the same, to keep the Torah even though it was hard and he lost a lot by doing it.
So, even though they didn’t actually say it outright, the way they kept it, was proclaiming that it was not worth it to serve Hashem. Consequently, other people, who were not on the level to keep Torah despite its hardship, learned from them to abandon it.
What they should have said was that Torah and Mitzvos are good and a great gift. Hashem chose us from all the nations and gave us the Torah and made us free people-“there is no free man only one who deals with Torah.” This is the greatest joy and there is no loss from keeping Torah and Mitzvos because everything is from Hashem and our whole life and everything we were given is dependent on Him. With this attitude he would be able to have a good influence on his children and students. Anyone who sees how happy he is by doing Torah and Mitzvos will want to emulate him.
In the book “City on Fire,” compiled by Sarah Shapiro, about the twin tower tragedy of September 11, they bring on p. 197, Rav Matisyahu Salomon who cites the Alter of Slabodka who explains the prophecy of Malachi like Rav Moshe and elaborates on this point. He says in part,
“If a Torah Jew, who represents Yiddishkeit [Judaism], walks down the street, mixes with people, and is obviously not a happy person, if he doesn’t show that his life has content, if he is not an example of refinement and fulfillment, then he is shouting to the world, ‘It isn’t worthwhile to serve Hashem.’
He is saying to everyone, ‘We didn’t make it, but you made it. You are happy people. You have your entertainment, your pleasures….and I go around with my long face.’ You are telling everyone, ‘What benefit do we have in keeping His mitzvos?…It isn’t pleasure. It isn’t life itself. It isn’t an achievement. I don’t feel fulfilled….’ Hashem seems to have pushed us away, and we seem to be affirming those who do what they want, who extract the pleasures of life and seem to get a better deal. And that’s an indictment of Torah observance.”
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, in his sefer “Growth Through Torah,” p. 18-19, brings from Rav Yeruchem Levovitz that the very first verse in the Torah Genesis 1:1, makes us aware that Hashem is Creator and Ruler of the universe. This will make a major change in you for the rest of your life. You realize that there is a reason for everything. The world has meaning and purpose.
Rabbi Pliskin elaborates that without meaning in life even if one accomplishes a lot, has health and wealth, fame and fortune, there is a strong feeling that something is missing. It is. Without meaning, there is no real enjoyment and satisfaction. Yes, a person can have moments of excitement, joy, and even ecstasy. But they are short-lived. When the high feelings settle down, there is emptiness. Nothing seems to really matter.
Rabbi Pliskin (ibid.), continues to say that without meaning in life there is no real enjoyment, but once you internalize the awareness that there is a Creator of the universe, you see plan and purpose. There is an inner glow and a drive for spiritual growth. Those who lack this realization see only the external actions and behaviors of those who live with the reality of the Almighty. They are unaware of the rich inner life of such a person. The true believer in the Creator is a fortunate person. He sees divinity in every flower and tree and in every blade of grass. His life, regardless of how it unfolds, is full of purpose and meaning. While he appreciates this world as a gift of the Creator, he looks forward to an eternity of existence. This is the profound message of the first verse of the Torah.
Rabbi Pliskin concludes with a story of a certain well-known communal leader, who as a teenager saw Rabbi Moshe Feinstien for the first time. He remembered something that Rav Moshe said that made an indelible impression.
Rav Moshe was saying, “People destroy their children by always repeating [in Yiddish] ‘Es is shver tzu zein a Yid (It is hard to be a Jew).’ No, it is not hard to be a Jew. It is beautiful and joyous to be a Jew.”
Rav Moshe’s face glowed with pride and happiness when he said those simple words, and the young listener recalls that he too became suffused with pride in his Jewishness.
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